O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM

In Boyle’s fantasy novel, a mysterious American town in the early 1900s gets turned upside down by the actions of a newcomer from a century in the future.

After a fateful truck accident in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, TV actor Madeline Drake wakes up to find herself in a strange place on Thanksgiving. At first, she thinks it’s the set of her current show, The Star Bright, which takes place in the fictional town of Bethlehem, Wyoming, in the early 20th century; in it, she plays saloon proprietor Calliope Corfield. “From what she could see, this place was a close replica….Except this felt so very real.” Madeline soon realizes that she’s trapped in the actual town of Bethlehem in 1907—more than 100 years in the past. It turns out that every resident was led there by a guide named Shandy, and each has some misfortune that they want to escape. Madeline soon learns that Shandy can’t take her home until Christmas,so she decides to reopen the town’s closed saloon. Some of the more conservative townspeople disapprove of Madeline’s activities, but they inspire others. Parathinia Minch, the town’s postmistress, who’s highly trusted for her discretion, is keeping an unwanted secret that could split the town in two, while Savannah Clarke, a resident from the Civil War era who prefers not to celebrate the holidays, starts involving herself in town matters after stumbling upon handwritten Christmas wishes. Boyle’s story of placemaking and letting go of the past is sure to enchant readers with its charming cast and reflective prose. The pace of the novel is overly slow at times, and the logistics of its time-travel elements are unsatisfyingly explained. However, Madeline, Parathinia, and Savannah are winning characters with rich personalities that push back against small-town expectations; in the end, they bring the people of Bethlehem together for an unforgettable holiday season.

A somewhat drawn-out but ultimately heartwarming story that examines themes of community and friendship.